Magnetic toy or game



May 19, 1925.

A` A. THOMAS MAGNETIC TOY OR GAME Filed June l5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 19, 1925.

A. A. THOMAS MAGNETIC TOY 0R GAME Filed June l5, 1925 2 Sheets-Shed 2 INVENTOR pincticalV way.

Patented Mey 19, `192.5.

UNiTEn STATES ADOLPH ALEXANDER THOMAS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MAGNETIC TOY 0B. GAME.

Application filed June 15, 17923. Serial No. 645,504.

To @Zlio/i071@ if' may concern.' j

Be it known that I, AnoLrH yALEXANDER riliroaras, a citizen oi the United States, and a resident ot the city or New York, county and State ot New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ldagiietic Toys or Gaines, oi which the following is a specication; l My invention is for a new and improved toy or gaine, particularly adapted for educa tional. purposes, and at the same time affording amusement byV its apparently mystifying operation.

Briefly stated, my device comprises a maiiually adjustable magnetassociated with a question disk, and a second magnet having a pointer arranged to move along a series of answers on a sheet. The second magnet is under the magnetic influence of tlief'lirst` niagnet but isiiormallyheld out of operative relationy to the lirst magnet'during the manual adjustment of the lirst magnet, as when `the question disk is rotated to `indicatea selected question. kThe first magnetV may be called the question magnet, and the second magnet the answering magnet. After the desired question has thus been selected, the answering magnet is free to be influenced by the question magnet to indicate the answer corresponding to the selected question. I use the terms question and answer to indicate anyr suitable correlated notations or indicia. The answering magnet is normally prevented from being'acted on by the manually adjustable magnet in any ln .ifpreteired form or my invention. the answering'magnet is normally held against movement by a iiianuall'y'f..reL Ieasable de.'icel adapted to beoperated .by any` suitable connections. For instance, there may be a button or other linger piece conveniently mounted in a wall ol' the box` containing the apparatus, and this button controls the secondniagnet. vAfter the lirst magnet has kbeen adjusted toiiidicate the desired question, there is no motion of the second magnet and its pointer. .But as soon as the child presses theV button, which may be called the magic button, the second inagreleaued and the point-er swings to va posit-ion opposite the intended answer. In this way, the child derives information as well as amusement. Y l j The apjjiaratus is quite simplein construction, and perniits'the ready substitution of new question disks and answer sheets witliout disturbing any part'ol tlie mechanism.

The objects and advantages of my invention willl beconieclear from a detailed descriptioii oli the accompanying drawings, in

, which Fig. 1 shows in plan view ,a preferred Jtorni ot my new toy or game, certain parts being broken away for clearness;

Fini, 2 is a transverse cross-sectionV approximately on line 2 2 of Figi, except that tor cleariiess thetwo magnets are shown in alignment with the section line;

Y Fig. 3 how the lower magnet is released for move ment byA pushing a button; f

Fig. 4: shows in plana modified construction employing a pointer iii connection with thequestion disk, certain parts being broken away for lack of space; I

Fig. 5 is a crosssection substantially on line 5 5 ofi? ig. 4, except that the two magnets, as 1n Fie'. 2,

j g are shown iii alignment with the section line, so as to promote clearness in the drawings; andV Fig. G is a fragmentary sectional view, approximately on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, illustratis a fragmentary view illustrating.v

ing how the lower magnet is normally held against movement by a spring finger.

I will lirst describe the construction illus` trated iii Figs. l, 2, 3 and 6j, f

The various parts which go to make up this new game or toy are enclosed vin a suitable bomwhicli in this instance I have shown in the torni ot a book. This box, indicated as a whole by B, consists of a bottom l, a iront strip 2, a back strip 3, side pieces el: ande, and a cover (l hinged at 7. It desired, they cover may be omitted. rShe box B may be made ot any suitable material, Vsuch as wood, heavy cardboard and the like. e

.ln the box Bis a support indicated as a. whole by C. This support, which may be oit. thin wood, still cardboard, or the like, is shown in the form of a partition resting Yon corner pieces 8, or otherwise held in properposition.y The support or partition C consist-s of an outer section 9 and an inner section l0, these sectionsbeing separated vby a circular space l and lield together by lill an upper compartment U. 1n the lower compartment L is pivoted a permanent bar magnet M in any practical way. ln the drawings I have shown the magnet provided with a depending tube or thin'ible 12, which rests on a pointed bearing pin 13, so that the magnet is capable of swinging with as little friction as possible. The pivot pin 13' may be iiXed in the box by any suitable means. ln Fig. 2, the pin 13 is mounted on a small plate -1-, which may be a piece et wood glued to the bottom of the boil. To one end olf the magnet M is attached 5a pointe 15. yl"his pointer n'iay conveniently be .ihaped out ot stili' paper, one end ot which wound around the magnet M, as indicated at 1G. The length of the pointer 15 should be such that it is visible in the circular si ice l it'orn'ied between the outer and inner sections oit the support C.

@n top of the support or partition C is a sheet fr provided with a series oit' Spaces 1'?, which are supposed to contain suitable not is one oit the principal uses of this sume that the spaces 17 contain answers to i predetermined series o1' questions. For

this reason l shall designate the sheet A as the answer sheet. rlhis sheet is Jformed with a central opening 18, which approximately coincides with the outer periphery et the circular opening l in the support C. rlhe answer spaces 17 are arranged around the o iening 18, and the pointer 15 moves in close iliroiin'iity to these spaces, as may be seen troni Fig. 1. The answer sheet A need not be tastened to the supporting partition C, but may be simply laid thereon loosely, so that it can be easily removed when desired. The answer sheet is preferably made to iit snugly in the box, ano the area outside o1" the spaces 1T may be made as ornamental as desired or may contain directions tor playing the game.

'lhe magnet M, which may properly be called the answer magnet, is normally held against movement hy manually controlied means. .in the present instance, this holding means includes a pressure or friction niei'iiber in the 'torni ot a spring linger 19 secured to the plate 1-1 by screws Q0 or otherwise. rlhe upper or tree end ot' pressure member 19 bears against the thimble 12 ot magnet ld, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. It' desired, the contact surfaces et thiinble 12 and pressure member 19 may be roughened to insure goed trictional contact. rllhe pressure neniber or linger 19 may be moved away 'trom the thiinble 1'2.by any suitable connection, but at the present time prefer button 2l, located in a hole Q2 in the et the box, as shown in Figs. 1 and 0. rod or sti wire 23 is atone end conend thereof. ln Fig. 6, the rod is shown passing through a hole termed in a lateral extension Q- lot the pressure member 19, and the end ot the rod is coiled upon itseltl at 25, so as to lock the rod securely to the spring iinger. it is clear 1from Figs. 2 and that, when the button 21 is pushed in, even slightly, the pressure member 19 is moved out et holding engagen'ient with the thimble 12 and the answer magnet M is tree to swing into any position. l do not limit myself to any speciiic form oit device for locking and releasing the answer magnet lit. Y ln the upper compartment U ot the box l is that part et the apparatus which l mayv call the questioning mechanism, by means ot' which the question to be answered is selected. ln the torni ot' my device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the questioning mechanism comprises a circular bloel; 26 pivoted centrally on trie support C by a pin 2?. The block 2G carries a permanent bar magnet M, which is preferably et the saine size as the lower magnet M. yEhe upper magnet M may be called the question magnet. The polaritics ot' the two magnets are indicated iii F 2 by Nm3 and -S. rlhe magnet M is preferably carr'ed by the rotary block QG in a concealed position and may be mounted thereon in any suitable way. En Fig. 2, magnet M is shown embedded in the block 9.6, which may be or' any suitable nonniagnetic material, such as wood, papier mche, libre, or a moldable composition tit for this purpose. 0n top of the rotary block is a disk Q, which I call the questiondisl. rhe outer section ot disk Q is divided into a suitable number ot spaces 28, in which is supposed to be printed a series ot questions corresponding to the answers on answer sheet Disk Q, which may be made of paper, is simply laid on the block Q6 without being actually fastened thereto, so that the disk may be easily taken oil. 1n order to insure the correct position ot disli on block 26, l have shown the block provided with a pair of pins QD, which project,- slightly it'roin (he top surtace ther-eet. rthese pins are arranged to enter a pair otl holes 30 in disk Q. At a convenient place in the box is a. lined niark to indicate the correct position ot dish 12.2. when a certain question is to be asked. in Fig. 1, there is an arrow 31 on the upper arm 11 ot support C.

rlie above described toy operates in the following manner:

Let us say that the particular question desired to be answered is that contained in the space (if ou disk Q. The child turns the bloei-f 26, which is easily grasped by the fingers, until the question in space (A/ opposite the ixed niark or arrow 3l. The magnet ii, which rotates with the block. will he in a certain position not visible to the eye. Durlife ing the turning of the block 26'and also after it has been moved into the desired Jositi on, there is no movement of the lower magi ynet lvl and its pointer 15. In order to get reaches a position substantially in alig-nJ ment with the magnet M. The magnet M then comes to rest and the pointer 15 indicates the correct answer. The relative `arrangement of the questions and answers is such that, no matter in what position the block 26 is rotated to designate a certain question, the position of the concealed magnet M is such that, when it attracts the lower magnet M, the pointer 15 always indicates the right answer.l

The fact that the answer magnet does not move until the button 21 is pushed, adds an element ot mystery in the use ot the toy, and thereby increases the fascination of the device, at least to a child. v

It will be obvious that upon release of the button 21 after the answering magnetk has moved to its new position, the holding member 1S) is automatically ymoved back into holding' position, so that the pointer 15 is locked in answering `position as lo'ngas-v desired. l

It will be seen that in Fig. 1 the question disk Q, bears on the exposed side only half as many questions as there are answers n sheet A. That is becausethe diameter of disk Q,V orconvenience .of construction, Vis aboutv one-half the diameter of the circle aroundV which the answer spaces are Varnew question disk and its'corresponding an!A swer sheet'- on the block 26 and support C, respective y. InV fact, anew set of question disk and answer sheet may be placed on top or the old set.VV One oi the advantages of my invention lies in the fact that question disks and answer sheets may be removed and inserted without disturbing anypart, of the apparatus.4 Every box may, therefore, be supplied with a set of answer sheets and a corresponding set of question disks, which may be stored in the upper compartment U.

To prevent confusion in the vuse of the dit! ferent sets, every pair of question disk and answer sheet should have thesame characteristic mark, which maybe a color or other identifying design.

In the broader aspect o-t my invention, the

pointer need not be in alignment with the body oi magnet M In tact, the pointer eouldbe attached to the thiinble 12 at any angle relatively to the magnet. In that case,

ofcourse, the arrangement ot questions and answers relative to magnet M must be such that, whenthe magnet M is in alignmentY with magnet M', the pointer will indicate the intended answer.

Attention is called to the fact lthat holding device for the answery magnet M is or casing 32 in which is pivoted a magnet M2. The casing 32, whichis stationary and preferably of cylindrical shape, is mounted n on the support C and held thereon by any suitable means, suoli as lugs 33 struck up `from the bottom of the casing and enteringholes in the support. The box or ycasing 82 may be made of any suitable non-magnetic material, such as brass, cardboard, and the like. The magnet M2 is fixed on a rotary spindle 34, arranged inalignment with the pivot point of the lower magnet M. It is advisable to prevent a too-free movement of the spindle 34, so that the magnet M2 will stay put in adjusted position. For this purpose there is interposed a suitable friction,

washer 35 .between the magnet and the bottom of the casing 32. Toithe outer kend of spindle 311 is attached a thumb-piece 36,

which may be in the form of a knurled knob.

On casing` 32 is placed a question disk Q, which is provided with a series of questions, like disk Q, of Figs. 1 and 2. To insure correct Vpositioning oi disk Q, I pro vide the same with a pair ol" notches Si' ar ranged to register with a corresponding'pair of `lugs 38 projecting upwardly from the top of casing 32. Any other suitable posim tioning means 'for the disk Q may be einployed. Over the disk Q, or along the answer spaces provided thereon, moves a pointer 39 secured to the spindle Sei inst below the knob 36. f

i It will not be necessary for me to describe in detail the answering mechanism shown in Figse and 5, because it is substantially identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that what I said before may be regarded as applying to Figs. 4r vand 5.

Inusing the construction of Figs. s and 5, the knobBG is turned until the pointer 39 is opposite the question desired to be answered.

This Yplaces the question magnet M2 in correct position relative to the intended answer. Therefore, when the button 21 is pressed, as heretofore explained, the answering magiiioiiiited on said block, wlierel'iy said block.

and diA are manually adjustable to bring the desired question into a predetermined posit-ion, eoaeting means on said disk and said block' i'or inenriiie'tlie Acorrect position loi said disk oii said block, and a magnet port and vhaving a pointer arranged to move along said series ot'answers, a manuallyrotatable bleek pivoted on said support over said magnet, a question disk Vremovably mounted on said block, .whereby said block and disk are manually adjustable to bring the desired question into a predetermined position, cozicting means on said disk and said block vtor insuring the correct position o't' said disk on said bloilna .ii'iagn'et carried by said block to attract said pivoted magnet and'cause said pointer Vto indicate the intended answer when the tirst magnet swings `under the influence of the second magnet,

an adjiistablefdevice for normally holding said irst magnet against lmovement, `and manuallyoperable means for actuating said device to release said pivoted magnet and thereby cause said pointer to swing into answering position.

6,'A toy ork game comprising a box, a support in said box, a sheet onsaid support and having a series of answers, a pivoted magnet mounted in said box below said support and having a` pointer arranged to inove along said series of answers, a manually rotatable block pivoted on said support over said magnet, a question disk ireniovably mounted on@V Vsaid block, whereby said block and disk are manually adjustable kto bring the vdesired question into a pre determined position, a magnet carried by said block to attract Vsaid pivoted magnet and cause said pointer to indicate the intended answer when the first-magnetswings vinte alignment with the second magnet, a

normally holding said oainst n'iovemi'int, a finger spring member pivoted ii'iagiiet piece, and :ivreoi'inection between said spring' member and said linger piece for moving said member into releasing position te allow said pointer to swing into answering'-position.V

magnet having a pointer, there being Va series ofi answers 'arranged along the path of movement et said pointer, a manually rotatable member having questions that 'correspond to said answers and carrying aV magnet arranged Vto attract said pivoted 1 venligne TA toy or gaine comprising a pivoted rotatable member having questions thaty Lcorrespond to-said answers and carrying a magnet arranged to attract said piveted magnet, whereby said member and vits magnet are adjustable to bring the desired question ,into a predetermined position, said pointer indicating the intended answer when said pivoted magnet swings under the attraction of the magnet on said member, a self-resetting spring finger pressing riotionally` against said pivoted magnet to hold thesame against movement, and manually operable means for Vmoving said linger to release said pivoted magnet. A,

9.'In a toy or game, a magnet adapted normally i to be turned manually to a predetermined position, a pivoted magnet mounted to be attracted by saidirst magnet, a self-reset- Y ting Idevice for normally holding Vsaid pivotedy magnet against movement, and

4manually loperable means for actuating said device to release said pivoted magnet.

10. A toy er game comprising a pivoted magnet( havin@` a pointer, Vthere being a series of notations arranged along thev path et movement of said pointer, avmember provided with notations having a certain relation to the notations first mentioned, indicatingjineans associated with the notations on said member, supporting means whereby said indicating means'and said member are Yrelatively'nfiovable to indicate a selected notation on said'member, a manually rotat- -able magnet for attracting said pivoted magnet and occupying a predetermined position when a selected notationis indicated, whereby said pointer indicates a predetermined notation lon said sheet when the rst magnet swings under the attraction of the second magnet, and manually releasable seit-resetting mechanism for normally holding said [irst magnet against movement. ll. A toy orgame comprising` a box, pivoted magnet mounted 1n said boxand having a pointer, a member provided with notations arranged along the path et movement et said pointer, a manually rotatable magnet pivoted in said box over said tirst magnet, means for normally holding said irst magnet againstmoveinent, a push button mounted in a wall of'said box, and a connection between said push button and (itl said holding means to release said holding means and thereby permit the tirst magnet to swing under the attraction of the second magnet, whereby said pointer indicates a. notation on said member.

l2. A toy or game comprising a box, a support in said box, a sheet on said support and having a series of answers, a pivoted magnet mounted in said box below said support and having a pointer arranged to move along said series ot' answers, a manually rotatable block mounted on said support over said magnet, a question disk on Vsaid block, whereby said bloc-k and disk are manually adjustable to bring the desired question into a predetermined position, said pointer indicating the intended answer when the tirst magnet swings under the attraction oit the second magnet, an adjustable device for normally holding said irst magnet and against movement, and manually releasable means tor actuating said device to release said pivoted magnet and thereby cause said pointer to swing into answering position.

1S. toy or game comprising a box, a sheet having an opening around which is arranged a series ot answers, means Jfor removably supporting said sheet in said box, said supporting means permitting` ready insertion and removal et said sheet without disturbing any part o't' the toy, a pivoted magnet mounted in said box below said sheet and having a pointer arranged to travel along said series et answers, a manually rotatable block supported in said box over said magnet, a magnet carried by said block to attract said pivoted magnet, a question disk mounted on said block to rotate therewith, whereby said block and disk are manually adjustable to bring the desired question inte a predetermined position, said pointer indicating the intended answer when the irst magnet swings into alignment with the second magnet, and means whereby said disk is insertable on said block in correct position and removable therefrom without disturbing any part of the toy.

1 4.. A toy or game comprising a pivoted magnet having a pointer, a sheet provided with answers arranged along the path ot movement ot said pointer, a box provided on top 'ith ipiestions that correspond to answers on said sheet, a magnet adjustably mounted iu said box to attract said pivoted magnet, means tor manually turning said second magnet.. au indicating n'icmber movable with said second magnet to indicate the desired question, said pointer indicating the intended answer when the first magnet swings into predetermined position under the intluence oiE the second magnet, a device tor normally prevei'iting movement of said pivoted magnet, and manually operable means tor controlling said device.

la. Ik toy or game eoinprising a pivoted magnet having a pointer, a sheet provided with answers arranged along the path ol movement of said pointer, a boxV provided ou top with questions that correspond to answers on said sheet, a magnet adjusta-bly mounted in said box to attract said pivoted magnet, means tor manually turning said second magnet, an indicating member inevable with said second magnet to indicate the desired question, said pointer indicating the intended answer when the first magnet swings into predeteri'nined position under the intluence ot the second magnet, a sclt-rc-,setting device iior normally holding said first magnet against movement, and manually operable means 'for actuating said device to release said pivoted magnet and thereby cause said pointer to swing into answering position.

lr6. ln a toy or game oi the class dcscribed, a support, series ot answer sheets adapted to be interchangeably mounted on said support, a second support, a series ot question disks adapted to be interchangeably mounted on said second support in a certain position, the answers on each sheet corresponding to the questions on one of said disks, means for insuring the correct position of each question disk on said second support, a manually movable magnet to indicate a question on the disk, and a pivoted magnet arranged to be attracted by said first magnet and car Tying a pointer to indicate the required answer.

17. ln a toy or game oit the class described, a supporting member, a disk rcmovably mounted on said membe and provided with a series ot notations which rcquire said disk to be mounted on said member in a cert-ain radial position, and interengaging means on said disk and said member for insuring the correct radial position of said disk on said supporting member.

1S. In a toy or game of' the class lescribed, a support, a s ries ot answer sheets adapted to be interchangeably mounted on said support, a second support, a series ot question disks adapted to be interchangeably mounted on said second support in a certain position, the answers on each sheet corresilionding to the questions on one ot said disks, means Ator insuring the correct position o,`V each question disk on said second support, a manually movable magnet to in dicate a question on the disk, pivoted magnet arranged to be attracted by said iirst magnet and carrying a, pointer to iudicate the required answer` sind manually releasable means tor normally holding sa'd pivoted magnet against movement, said answer sheets and question disks bein;l iusertable and removable without disturbingiany part ot the toy.

19. :t toy or game comprising a pivoted ieu magnet haring a pointer, there being a series ot notations arranged along the path of movement otsaid pointer, a-second movable magnet arranged to; attract said *pivoted of notations,A a manually rota-table memberl holding` said pivoted magnet against movement, and manually operablegnieans for actuating said device torelease said pivoted magnet for movement, whereby the pointer et the pivoted magnet swings rinto proper indicating position withA respect to said irst series ci notations. y

20, A toy or game comprising a box, a sheethaving an opening around which is arranged a series of answers, means for removably supporting said sheet in said box, said supporting means permitting ready insertion and removal of said sheet withoutdisturbing any part oit the toy, a pivoted magnet mounted in lsaid` box below said sheet and having aV pointer arranged to travel along said series loit answers, a sup- )ort` a cuestion disl'mounted on said su -k l port, a movable magnet associated with said question disk and manually adjustable into,l

a position to select or indicate a question on said disk, said pointer indicating the intended answer Ywhen the lirst magnet i swings into alignment with the second inagnet, manually releasable means for normally holding said pivoted magnet against movement. and means whereby saiddisk is insertable on said support in correct position and removable therefrom without disturbing any part of the toy. n

21. A toy or gaine comprising a pivoted magnetic pointer, there being a series Vof,

notations arranged along the path of movement or" said pointei, aY manually rotatable member, a magnet movable with said rotatable member and arranged to attract said magnetic pointer, whereby said member an-d its magnet areadjustable into a predetermined position, said magnetic pointer indica! ing a notation when it swings under the attraction of said manually adjustable magnet, and manually rele-usable self-resetting means ttor? holding said magneticpoiuter mit oi" operative rela ion to` said,v

magnet during the adjustment oi said ro t. ble member.V i

L2. ln a toy or gaine of the class de#y scribed,` a supporting Ymember. a. disk removably mounted on said member and pro? vided with a series of notations which require said disk to be inountedon said member in a certain radial'position, and Vcoacting means on said disk and said'member- 'for positively preventing the mounting` ot Ysaid dish" on said incinbi except-in the correct radial position.

23. A magnetic toy or game vcomprising a series ot notations arranged in a circular path, a pivoted magnet associated with said notations, a. second series ot notations ar- -V ranged in circular path and bearing a certain relation to sait iii'st series 'ot notations, a second pivoted magnetassociated with said second series of notations and arranged to be iniiuenced by the first magnet, a manually rotatable `member for turning the first magnet to indicate the desired ntation on the associated series, whereby the second magnet automatically swings to indicate a notation on the other series, a device adapted to hold the second magnet against turning, and manually operable means for actuating said device to release the second magnet for movement under the influence of the first magnet, said holding device being adapted to hold the secondv magnet in its new position. A i

24E, A magnetic toy or game comprising a box having a series of notations arranged in a circular path, a. pivoted magnet associated `with said notations, a second series of notations arrangedjin a circular path and bearing a certain relation to said first series ot notations, a second pivoted magnet associated with said second series otrnotatioiis and arranged to 'be influenced by the first magnet, a manually rotatable member tor turning the irst magnet to indicate the desired notation on the associated series,

device into releasing position. y

magnet pivotally mounted in said boi: and arranged to be attracted by said .first mag net, an adjustable*member iii said box for holding the second magnet against turning,

and means carried by said box and operable from the outside thereof to release the secbe'turnedinto a desired position. a second i ond magnet for turning underthe influence io mme-g* Lmn'onni'i; of Said niemlier inl'o holding' position.

in ninngnel'io toy or gaine, n box llavnizinueilly adjustable magnet adapted turned into zi` desired position, a rotary support in smid box, i magnet carried by seid support, n device adapted to engage Said Support for holdingr the second-mentioned muguet against turning under the inl'lllenw of lie irs'l magnet, und manually operable menus lo netimte Suid (larice oni; of holding engagement with @nid support lo permit the ifree Swinging; of the second 11mgnet under the influence el" the lirs; ningnel', Suid means being operable to cause morel nient of said device bncl; ino holding position.

ADOLPH ALEXi NBER THQMAS.

lll 

